Italy's favourite sports stars: hot rowers and sexy swimmers rank among Italy's best sports stars

After some research done by Italy’s RAI network on TG2 Costume e Società, a ranking of the most popular Italian sports stars has emerged, covering a diversity of sports in results that pleasingly show that soccer is not the focus.

Among the men, rower Antonio Rossi comes in at fifth position.

Rossi is certainly a choice for the ladies, and this hot Italian sports star is seen in the photo, on the right.
Italian national football captain Fabio Cannavaro gains fourth spot, while young gun motorcycle star Marco Simoncelli comes in third.

Another Italian football player, Gigi Buffon appears second; whatever your local side leanings are, Buffon is the national team’s goal keeper and it’s hard to measure the affection the Italian public has for him.
For a closer look at Italy’s athletes, and the first place honours, see after the jump.